Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the Nembe Oilfields has resumed the production and export facility off Bayelsa coastline operation, shut due to oil spill from a loading mishap.

Aiteo, who announced the resumption in a statement by its Spokesman, Mr Mathew Ndianabasi on Saturday, noted that the incident discharged large volumes of crude into the Atlantic Ocean on June 17.

Ndianabasi said that Nembe fields within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 had capacity to produce 180,000 barrels of crude per day at peak levels. Frequent vandalism by oil thieves had significantly hammered peak production from the facility.

Ndianabasi noted that following the completion of the joint investigative visit to the spill site by all stakeholders as required by regulations, AEEPCO will reopen its facilities for production while continuing other statutory spill management procedures.

He quoted AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, as saying: ” After a comprehensive evaluation of our operations and infrastructure at the Nembe Swamp Field, we are delighted to confirm the resumption of production activities.

“Our dedicated team has worked diligently to address the issues caused by the recent incident and implemented enhanced safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.

“We have engaged with regulatory bodies, local communities, and stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability throughout this process.